By Kenny Varner

WINGATE – Centre county faced off against Mifflin County Wednesday afternoon as the MIfflin County Huskies traveled to Wingate to play a very young Bald Eagle Area squad in baseball action.

The Huskies hurler Aidan Attivo faced off on the mound against Eagles starting pitcher Brayden Dubbs.

Despite battling late, the Eagles came up short falling to the Huskies 13-3 in a five-inning contest.

Attivo went four complete innings, allowing two runs.

The Huskies got multiple hits by Landon Haigh (2-for-3 4RBIs, run ), Jayden Smith (2-for-4 4RBIs, 2runs).

Bald Eagle also finished with two multiple hitters. They were Teagun Runkle (2-for-3 run) and Dawson Lomison (2-for-2 RBI, Run).

“I was just trying to stay consistent. I felt very comfortable with most of my pitches,” said Attivo. “The change up I didn’t feel as comfortable with so I stayed mainly with my fast ball and curve and I stayed mostly with that. I was trying to stay consistent with my form and trying and hitting strikes.”

In the first, Mifflin County started off strong getting runners on the base paths early.

Leadoff hitter Evan Strohecker reached on a Bald Eagle miscue.

Designated hitter Lincoln Ruble followed with a walk. Both moved up on a wild pitch.

First baseman Jayden Smith grounded a fielders choice chopper to shortstop scoring Strohecker, giving the Huskies a 1-0 advantage going into the bottom of the first.

“We were still a little frustrated early on,” said Mifflin County manager Ray Hoppel when asked about his offensive effort. “When Landon (Haigh) hit that double we were fortunate it bounced over the outfielders head to give us another run. Sometimes those are the kind of break out games or breakout hits you need to get yourself out of a funk. We definitely capitalized on our opportunities tonight.”

Attivo and the Huskies defense sent down the Eagles in order in the first.

Dubbs was equally successful in the second, striking out 2-of-3 Huskies in a 1-2-3 inning.

“We hurt ourselves tonight. We gave stuff away and that leads to bigger innings of course. We competed there until the last pitch. I told them it doesn’t matter what the score is we have to compete until the end of the game. We got some stuff going there in the bottom of the fifth,” said Bald Eagle Area coach Ryan MacNamara.  “We came up just short today but MIfflin County is a 6A school and that’s why we play these bigger teams l. We’ve always played up. It prepares us for stuff.”

Bald Eagle threatened in their part of the inning.

Teagun Runkle blasted a laser shot down third baseline. He was followed by a shallow single into right by Kaleb Irion.

Runkle and pinch runner Kaden Clark stole second and third.

However, the Huskies ended the threat with no damage, keeping ahold of a 1-0 lead.

Patience at the plate in the third started the Huskies off on a good foot.

Easton Lepley opened the inning with a walk. He was replaced on the base path by courtesy runner Elliot Yetter. Strohecker also walked putting runners on first and second. Both moved up a base on a double steal. Layton Ruble kept it going also reaching on a base-on-balls to load the bases with number three hitter Smith walking up to the plate.

Smith bounced into a fielders choice as the Eagles got the force out at home.

But Landon Haigh smoked a double to left clearing the bases and giving the Huskies a 4-0 advantage.

Much like the first inning, the Huskies sent down the Eagles in order in the third.

The Huskies added more runs in the fourth.

All came with two outs in the inning.

Reese Christine opened the inning with a walk.

With two outs, Lepley brought in Christine on another Eagle error.

Highlighting the inning was Christine’s second appearance he sent a shot over the fence for a 3-run homer.

When the dust settled in the inning, Mifflin County added eight, taking a 12-0 advantage.

Bald Eagle refused to go down quietly as they started its part of the fourth strong. Dubbs led off with a crushing shot into right center. Teammate Runkle, who finished with multiple hits, singled as well, setting the stage for Wyatt Cessna. Cessna was cool under pressure as he blasted a double to left, scoring two, cutting the MIfflin County lead to 12-2 heading into the fifth.

Refusing to give up, the Eagles picked up a 5th inning walk for Connor Perry. He moved up to second on an infield error by MIfflin County, putting runners on first and second with only one out. Dubbs blasted an RBI single, scoring Perry and moved up Johnson to third. Dubbs later stole second putting both Bald Eagle runners in scoring position.

With two outs, MIfflin County held tight, taking home the 13-3 five inning contest.

Mifflin County 13, Bald Eagle Area 3 (5 innings)

MC  103  81x x – 13 8 1

BEA 000 21x c –   3 6 2

WP: Aidan Attivo

LP: Brayden Dubbs

Multiple hits: MC – Landon Haigh 2-for-3 4RBIs, run , Jayden Smith 2-for-4 4RBIs, 2runs . BEA –  Teagun Runkle 2-for-3 run, Dawson Lomison 2-for-2 RBI, Run.

HR: MC –    Reese Christine. BEA –  None.

3rd: MC –    None. BEA –  None.

2nd: MC –    Jayden Smith, Landon Haigh . BEA –  Wyatt Cessna, Kaleb Irions.